Mechanism for regulating the expression in apparatus for playing musical instruments



Nov. 17, 1925. 1,562,163

S. R. HARCOURT ET AL MECHANISM FOR REGULATING THE EXPRESSION IN APPARATUS FOR PLAYING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS v FiledJan. 25, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 yzzaa. I

Nov. 17, 1925 R. HARCOURT ET AL uEcHANIsu FOR REGULATING THE EXPRESSIQN IN APPARA PLAYING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed Jan. 25, 1924 TUS FOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 17, 1925. 1,562,163

7 S: R. ,HARCOURT E AL MECHANISI FOR REGULATING THB'EXPRESSION IN APPARATUS FOR PLAYING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS FiledJan. 25, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Ms a Q I Nov. 17, 1925.

S. R. HARCOURT ET AL MECHANISM FOR REGULATING THE EXPRESSION IN,APPARA PLAYING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS t .l 2 h SW5 9. t 158 U T h S 5 jflverz 0717 Filed Jan. 25, 1924 Patented Nov. 17, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

STILLWELL R. I-IARCOURT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AND OSCAR H. ANDERSON, OF GRAND HAVEN, MICHIGAN, ASSEGNORS TO STORY 6: CLARK IIANO 00., OF GRAND HAVEN, IV'IIOHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

MECHANISM FOR BEGULATING THE EXPRESSION IN APPARATUS FOR PLAYING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

Application filed January 25, 1924. Serial No. 688,404.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, S'rILLwnLL R. HAR- comer and OSCAR H. ANDERSON, citizens of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, and Grand Haven, in the county of Ottawa and State of Michigan, respectively, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Mechanism for Regulating the Expression in Apparatus for Playing Musical Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for playing musical instruments and more especially to that kind of apparatus such as player pianos, wherein the notestriking mechanism is actuated by striker-pneumatics controlled by a perforated note-sheet passing over the trackerboard.

This invention more especially relates to the expression means of such devices. One of the objects of the invention is to provide such devices with means, whereby the notes of the musical instrument may be struck with varying degrees of intensity, in order to give more accurate or artistic expression. Such expression means is adapted to be controlled by supplemental expression holes in the tracker-board in connection with supplemental expression perforations or apertures in the music sheet, adapted to register therewith.

In that form of device embodying the features of my invention shown in the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation showing somewhat diagrams matically the different parts of my invention as the same are embodied in a player piano, Fig. 2 is a View taken as indicated by the line 2 of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a View taken as indicated by the line 3 of Fig. 2, Fig. 4 is a view taken as indicated by the line a of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is a view taken as indicated by the line 5 of Fig. 4:, Fig. 6 is a view taken as indicated by the line 6 of Fig. 1, Fig. 7 is a view taken as indicated by the line 7 of Fig. 8, Fig. 8 is a view taken as indicated by the line 8 of Fig. 7, Fig. 9 is a view taken indicated by the line 9 of Fig. 8, Fig. 10 is a view taken as indicated by the line 10 of Fig. 7, Fig. 11 is a View taken as indicated by the line 11 of Fig. 7, Fig. 12 is a view taken as indicated by the line 12 of Fig. 10, Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view of the switchv for shutting off the crest valves and Fig. 14 is a vertical sectional view of a striker-pneumatic.

In Fig. 1 there is shown, in general, and somewhat diagrammatically, the parts of my invention illustrating one manner in which they may be used in connection with apparatus for playing musical instruments. It is to be understood, however, that this showing is merely for the purpose of giving an example of one use of the invention. The invention is not to be restricted to this particular arrangement or use, it being within the spirit and scope of the invention to use the expression regulating mechanism and parts thereof in connection with other forms and types of apparatus for playing musical instruments.

As shown in the drawings, 20 indicates a compartment, sometimes termed wind-chest, from which air is partially exhausted by any suitable pumping means (not shown) through the pipe 21, to' maintain within the wind-chest 20 a partial vacuum. 'Connected to the wind-chest 20 by means of the connection 215 is a bellows 22 acting as a governor and operating to maintain the degree of vacuum in the wind-chest 20 constant, except as said governor is affected by bleeds to be hereinafter explained more in detail. The governor 22 itself is not shown in detail since such governors comprising, in general, a spring. controlled bellows, are in common use. The vacuum from the wind-chest 20 is communicated by the pipe 23 to one end of the stack 24 which extends the entire length ofthe keyboard and has connected to it the striker pneumatics c ontrolling the particular notes. The terminology of the different parts of a player piano of this type is more or less arbitrary and the terms are differently used by different persons. Frequently the passage 24 extending the length of the keyboard 'into which the striker-pneumatics open, is referred to as a wind-chest and the pipes 23 connecting the wind-chest to the exhausting mechanism, stacks. .Ve prefer, however, to call the compartment 20 which is connected directly to the exhausting pump as the wind-chest and apply the term stack to the compartment 24c into which the striker-pneumatics open. We believe this use of terms to be the better practice. The keyboard of instruments of this kind is ordinarily divided in two parts substantially at the center so that the expression of one-half of the notes may be regulated independently of the other notes. VJhen the keyboard is so divided, there is a separate set of expression regulating devices for each side of the keyboard. In illustrating the present invention, we assume that the keyboard is so divided and show in'detail but one side, it being understood that the apparatus is duplicated for regulating the expression of notes on the other side. It is obvious also that if desired, the keyboard could be divided into more than two parts, and each part have a separate expression regulating.

apparatus. When the board is divided into two parts with two corresponding sets oi expression regulating apparatus, it is customary to place the respective groups of apertures in the tracker-board controlling such expression regulating apparatus at the two ends of the tracker-board. in the present case, since we have shown but one expression regulating apparatus, we are also showing but one end of the tracker-board with the apertures therein for controlling such expression regulating apparatus. In the present case, we have shown four of suchapertures operating in connection with our expression regulating apparatus and a fifth aperture controlling movement of the hammer rail. There are now on the market note sheets having at each end five series of holes for controlling expression and our apparatus is so designed that it can be used in connection with such note sheets, now on the market. The fifth hole referred to above is at the extreme end of the trackerboard and forms no part of the present invention.

A indicates, in general, a crest valve controlling the passage between the wind-chest 20 and the pipe 23 which leads to one end or" the stack 9A. It is to be understood, as stated above, that there is a duplicate of this crest valve together with the other parts of our invention on the other side of the piano. The pipe 23 opens into one end of the stack 2% (see Fig. l l) and since the stack 24: is divided at the center each of the pipes controls substantially half of the notes on the instrument.

B indicates, in general, a bleed box having three bleeds adapted to bleed air through the pipe 25 into the governor in order to decrease the vacuun therein and consequently decrease the vacuum in the wind-chest 20, pipe and stack Such decreasing of the vacuum in the stack will. obviously operate to decrease the intensity with which the striker-aneunlatics communicating therewith operate. It is believed that the ordinary construction of striker'pneumatics and their communication with the stack is well known; but for the purpose of additional clarity there is illustrated in Fig. let one striker-pneumatic '26 showing its connection by the port 27 with the stack 24:. 28 indicates the rod connected to the hammer (not shown). A valve 29 of the ordinary form controls communication between the stack 2d and the strikerepneumatic 26. This valve 29 is provided with a stem 30 the end of which bears against diaphragm 31 which covers the end of the opening 32 which terminates at its other end with a note aperture in the tracker-board 34. The operation of these parts, we believe, is well known. When the note aperture 33 is uncovered by a perform tion in the note sheet, atmospheric air is admitted behind the diaphragm 31 causing it to move to the right (as viewed in Fig. 14:) to move the valve 29 to the right. This movement of the valve 29 to the right closes the hole 35 opening into the atmosphere and at the same time permits the vacuum in the stack 24 to be communicated through the port 27 into the pneumatic 26 to collapse the pneumatic, to raise the rod 28, to cause the hammer to strike the string.

0 indicates, in general, a bleed control box operating in connection with the four apertures 35, 36, 37 and 38 at the end of the tracker-board for controlling the bleeds in the bleed box. There are three bleeds in the bleed box and four expression holes (not counting the hole controlling the hammer rail which will not be further considered in this specification) at the end of the trackerboard. Aperture does not open any of the bleeds. Aperture 36 opens the smallest bleed, aperture 3'? the intermediate and aperture 38 the largest bleed of the three. The bleed control box 0, however, when any one of the four apertures 35, 36, 37 or 38, is open, also operates a crest control box D to open the crest valve A. If desired, there maybe only one crest control box operated by one bleed control box but controlling both crest valves. WVe have here shown the apparatus so arranged but are showing only one crest valve. When we describe the apparatus more in detail it will be seen that another pipe leads from the crest con trol box to the other crest valve (not shown).

Attached to the lower end of the crest control box D is a rewind control box 13. This rewind control box operates the shutoff pouches at the ends ol the pipes 23 where they join the wind-chest 20. Obviously, there are two of such shut-oil pouches, one for each of the pipes 523; but only one will 1 ill bleed control box C opens the pipes 57 and 59 to the atmosphere,thereby operating: the two valves in the crest control box D to open both crest valves. Each of the pipes 57 and 59 also has a branch 57 and 59 leading to a block 60 mounted on the keyboard and provided with a switch-arm 61 adapted to close or open the ends of these pi es (see Fig. If desired, the switch-arm 61 may be moved so that the ends of these pipes are permanently opened to the atmosphere, thus permanently opening both crest valves and putting them out of operation.

lVe will now describe the bleed control box C and the bleed box B. The construction 0t theseparts is best shown in Figs. 7 to 12 inclusive. Since there is a duplication of parts in these members clearly shown in the dra ings, we will describe in detail only a sutficient number to show the OllQI'fillOIl of the devices. \Vithin the box C is a chamber 62 communicating by the pipe 63 with a cham ber 64 in the bottom o'l 'the bleed box ll. The chamber 641 is connected to the pipe 2.? so that there is always maintained in the chambers 64 and 62 a partial vacur-iu from the exhausting mechanism. Connecting with the-chamber 62 by suitable ports are four small bellows 65, 66, 67 and 68. The port. connecting the bellows'65 with the chamber 62 is shown in Fig. 12 as indicated by 69. In Fig. 7 is shown the bellows 68 with its port 70. Each of the ports leading to the four bellows 65, 66, 67 and 68 is controlled by a valve adapted by its movement to admit atmospheric air to the bellows or establish communication between the bellows and the chamber 62 so that air will be withdrawn from the bellows to collapse it. The opera: tion and construction of these valves is similar. In Fig. 12 is shown the valve in connection with the bellows which comprises the two discs 71 and 72 mounted on the valve stem 7 8. lVhen the valve is in the position shown in Fig.12 the port 74: leading into the chamber 62 is closed and the port 75 leading to the atmosphere is open so that atmospheric air is admitted into the bellows 65. hen the valve is moved to the right (as viewed in Fig. 12) the port '75 is closed and the port 74 is opened so that air is withdrawn from the port 69 by means of the vacuum in the chamber 62 so that the bellows 65 is collapsed. he valve stem 73 carrying the valve discs is moved in the following nranner. The end or this valve stem lies adjacent a diaphragm 76 covering a circular recess 77 into \.l1ich a pipe 78 leads. The end of the pipe 78 connects with the aperture 85 in the tracker-board so that when this aperture is uncovered, atmospheric air is admit ed behind the diaphragm 76 to move the valve stem to close the port '75 and open the port 74. The ends o'l the pipe 57 and 59 are normally covered by a block 79 attached to a wire 80 hinged at 81, 81. The movable membersot thebeb lows65, 66, 67 and 68 carry arms 65, 66*, 67 and 68, respectively, adapted to strike the wire 80 and r-aise'the block 79 when any of the bellows is collapsed. The pipe 78 has a branch 7 8' leading to ;a chamber covered'by a diaphragm83 adapted to operate a valve stem carrying a valve 85 (see Fig. 9) 86 indicates a pipe connected to the aperture 36 in the tracker-board. Then the valve 85 is in the position shown in Fig. 9, (iOlllllllllllCatlOll is established between this pipe'86 and the curved pipe 87 leading to a valve'88 whichis the same as the valve 71, 72. By this construction, when the aperture 36 on the tracker-board is opened to the atmosphere,atmospheric air is admitted;

through the pipe 86, then past the valve 85 (it it is in the position shown in Fig. 9) into the pipe 87 to operate the valve 88 to collapse the bellows 66. If, however, when the aperture also open, then, in such case, the atmospheric air coming through the pipe 78 and its branch 78 will permit the diaphragm 83 to be moved to the right viewed in Fig. to move the valve 85 to the right to close communication between the pipes 86 and 87 so that ie-atmospheric air will be admitted into the'pipe 87. In like manner, the other bellows 67 and 68 are operated by the pipes 89 and 90 respectively, leading to the apertures 37 and 38, respectively. I have indicated, in general, the valve controlling the bellows 67' by'the reference numeral 91 and the valve controlling the bellows 68 by the reference numeral 92. Each of these valves resembles the valve 71 72 which has been described more in detail (see Fig. 12). The pipes leading to the diaphragms back of these valves are indicated by 93'and 9&. Each of the pipes 87 and 93 also has a branch 87 and 93 controllingtwo'valves 95 and 96, respectively, which in turn control communication between the pipes 89 and and between the pipes 90 and 9st in the same manner that the valve 85 controls communication between the pipes 86 and 87 (see Fig. 9).

97 indicates the port leading from the valve 91 t0 the bellows 67, and 98 indicates the port leading from the valve 88 to the bellows 66. Each of the three ports 70, 97 and 98 has a pipe leading to a bleed valve in the bleed box 13. Thesepipes are indicated by 99, 100 and 101, respectively. Lying above the chamber 64 are three chambers 102,103 and 104. Each of these chambers has a port opening into the atmosphere.

The port connecting the chamber 104i to the atmosphere is indicated by 105. "he port connecting chamber 102 to the atmosphere is indicated by 106. The chamber 103 has a similar port. Each of the ports is adapted is open, the aperture 35 isto be regulated in size by a bleed valve. The three bleed valves into the chambers 102, 108 and 104: are indicated by 107, 108 and 109, respectively. The position of these three bleed valves is adapted to be adjusted as desired by the three screws 110, 111 and 112, respectively. As here shown, the valves are adjusted so that the valve 109 will give the smallest bleed, the valve 108 an intermediate bleed, and the valve 107 the largest bleed. The three chambers 102, 108 and 104: are connected to the chamber 64 by the three pipes 118, 114 and 115, respectively. The lower end of each of the pipes 118, 114: and 115, is adapted to be opened or closed by a diaphragm or pouch. These three diaphragms or pouches are indicated by 116, 117 and 118, respectively (see Fig. 7 for pouch 116). The pipes 99, 100 and 101 lead to chambers below these pouches so that when a vacuum is created below them they are lowered to uncover the ends of the pipes 118, etc. lVhenever one of these pouches is raised (as 116 is shown in Fig. 7) it covers the end of the adjacent pipe. .It will be seen that when atmospheric air is admitted under any of the pouches116, 117 or 118, the vacuum in chamber 64 will raise it to cover the corresponding pipe. If, however,there is a vacuum under the pouch, the pouch will be lowered to uncover the pipe 118 to permit a bleed through the cor responding bleed valve into the chamber 64; and consequently into the pipe 25 and governor 22. Although I have here shown these bleeds as leading into the governor 22 it is obvious that the air from the bleed may enter any part of the exhausting mechanism or air line.

It is believed that the operation of the bleeds is now clear. hen the aperture 85 on the tracker-board is uncovered, atmospheric air is admitted into the pipe 78 to collapse the bellows 65. The collapse'of this bellows uncovers the ends of the pipes 57 and 59 to open both crest valves as has been explained. It is to be noted that there is no bleed in connection with the bellows and consequently all that happens when the aperture 85 is uncovered is the opening of both crest valves. When the aperture 86 is uncovered the pipe 86 is opened to the atmosphere and normally this pipe communicates with the pipe 87 so that the bellows 66 is collapsed and also the bleed 109 opened by a lowering of the pouch 118. Opening apertures 86 also opens both crest valves. Likewise the aperture 87 will open both crest valves and open the bleed 108 and the aperture 88 will open both crest valves and open the largest bleed 107. So far we have assumed that any one of the apertures 85, 86, 87 or 88 alone is opened. There is also an interlocking mechanism which will prevent the bellows 66 from collapsing if the bellows 65 is already collapsed and likewise the bellows 67 from collapsing if the bellows 66 is already collapsed and likewise the bellows 68 from collapsing if the bellows 67 is already collapsed. This interlocking mechanism includes the valves 85, 95 and 96 which have already been described. In other words, if atmospheric air is admitted in the pipe 78, the valve 85 is closed so that if the aperture 86 is opened, there will be noeffe'ct on the bellows 66 or the bleed 109 because the valve 85 is closing communication between the pipes 86 and 87. Likewise if the aperture 86 is open and the bellows 66 collapsed, the valve 95 similarly cuts off communication between the pipes 89 and 98 so that if the aperture 87 should be then opened there would be no effect on the bellows 67 or bleed 108. In other words, if the aperture 85 alone is open, the two crest valves are open. If the aperture 86 alone is open, the two crest valves are opened and the smallest bleed is open. If the aperture 87 alone is open, the two crest valves are open and the intermediate bleed is open. If the aperture 88 alone is open, the two crest valves are open and the largest bleed is open. If the apertures 85 and 86 are open at the same time, only the aperture 85 functions, the operation of the aperture 86 being shut off by the valve 85. Likewise if the apertures 86 and 87 are open at the same time only the aperture 86 functions; and if the apertures 87 and 88 are open at the same time only the aperture 87 functions. 7

When all apertures are closed the crest valves are closed and the softest effect is produced. Aperture 85 opens the crest valves and gives the loudest effect. Aperture 86 opens the crest valves and opens the smallest bleed and gives the next to the loudest effect and likewise the apertures 87 and 88 progressively give softer effects. Otherwise stated, the device may be so set and is here shown so that when all four apertures 85, 86, 87 and 88 are closed, the PP effect is produced. Aperture 85 gives an FF effect. Aperture 86 gives an F effect. Aperture 87 gives a MF effect. Aperture 88 gives a P effect.

There is also apparatus adapted to operate in connectionwith the rewind. We will now explain this apparatus more in detail. This apparatus comprises primarily therewind control box E and the bleed shut-off control box F. At the end of each of the pipes 28 where they enter the wind-chest is a shut-off pouch 120. Below the pouch 120 is a chamber 121 into which opens a pipe 122. The pipe 122 leads to the box E (see Figs. 1-. and A similar pipe 122" leads from the box E to the other shut-oif pouch (not shown). Within the box E is a valve including the two valve discs 12L and 125 mounte on the valve stem126.

the rewind, however,

mosphere. Atmospheric tween the 'alve discs is having its end be pix :l helower end of the valve stem lies centa diaphragm 127 cove-rlng'a chamber l2-8-into which leadsa pipe 129. The upper there is a rewind is operating and close it during the normal playingope-ration of the piano. It willbe seen that when the valvediscs 121, 12 5 are in the positionshown in Fig. 1, the pipes 122 and 122. connect with the vacuiun chamber 215 so that the shut-off pouch 1.20 is held downwardly as shown in Fig. 2 to keep the endof the pipe 23 open. During atmospheric air is ad- ,mitt-ed'to the pipe 129. This raises .the dia- .phragqm 127 and raises the valve disc-125 .to close communication between the pipe 122-andthe chamber and also raises the valve disc 12. 1 to open the pipe 122 to the at- .prcssure is accordingly admitted into the chamber 121 below the pouch 120 with the resrlt that this pouch is sucked upwardly to close the end of the P n Leadingfrom the space in the box lt'ha another pipe 130 similar to the pipe 122 and 122. The pipe 130 :leads to t'hebox F lfin i), entering the chamber 131 therein. Below the cham-- her 131 is;a-diaphragnrlfl covering a chann her 133 into which enters a pipe 134%. The .pipeJ-Ba leads .to the li leed control box. (1, s de the ends oilf the pipes 'Ilheend ,ot the pipe 1341 is like he closed normally by the 57 and 59 wise adapted-to block 7 'll hen any of the belloi'vs 67 (11158 is collapsed, however, the block 79 isadaptcdto be raised to open the end of: the pipe 13 1i the mosph-ere. I d above the diaphragm 132'isa-va-lve stem; to: provided iththe two valve dises'138 and 139 lying in the compartment l t-O. Leading from the compartment 1%10 is a pipe 1 1-1 which goes to a. Y 1 12 havingone. ln'anch 111- leading to the block and another branch 111 leadingto .a chamber 150 abm'e the end of the pipe andcovered by a diaphragm or pouch 151. In normal operation, the pouch 1.51 is raised as shown in Fig. 8 to keep the end. of the pipe uncovered; but when atmospheric air is admitted through the pipe 1411 the pouch 151 drops to cover the end of the pipe 25 to shut off all the bleeds. The end of the pipe 1 11" leading to the block is normally closed.

When, however, it is desired to permanently throw thebl-eeds out of action, this end is opened by the switch 61 with the result that the end of the pipe 25 is closed. 'In normal operation, however, the end of the pipe 1 11 is closed but atmospheric air is adapted to he admitted intothe pipe 1 11 from the be .F during the rewinding process. This op- .str her-p21eumatic eration is {is-follows, lVhen the rewind is not operating the valve in box E keeps com munication between the pipe and the vacuum chamber 415. Consequently, whenever the end of the pipe 13% is opened to the atmosphere by the operation of any of the bellows inthe bleed control box, the valve discs 138 and 139 in the box E are raised so that suctionis transmitted from the Che-m her 131 to the pipe 111 and. 1 11 to hold up the pouch 151. If, however, the rewindv s operating, then there is atmospheric air in the chamber 131 so that whenever any 01'' the bellows in the bleed control box operates, atmospheric air is admitted into the chamher to lower the pouch 151 to shut off the end of the pipe 25.

lVh-ile we have shown and described cerlain embodiments of our invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. construction and arrangement may be made withoutdeparting om the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed in the append- Ice of the character described;

poi-iterated music sheet; a tracker-board .havin apertures controlled by the perforations in. the music sheet; a striker-pneumatic; a stack comnuinicathig with the a wind-chest; communication between the wind'chest and the staclz', acrest valvein the communication between the wind-chest and the stack; a plurality of bleeds an air connection beti'veen .each bleed and the wind-chest whereby atmospheric air may behled into the wind-chest throughs'aid bleed; ableed valve in each of the connections between. the bleeds and the wind-chest; me ns operated by the perforat ons in the music sheet for-opening the crest valve and opening the bleeds.

2. In a device of the character described; a perforated music sheet; a stack; a strikerpneumatie communicating withthe stack; a wind-chest adapted to maintain a partial vacuum in the-staclr; and means for controlling the degree of vacuum in the stack, said means including a crest valve between the wind-chest and the stack controlled by the per orations-in the'musie sheet, and a plurality of bleeds adapted to bleed air through the same and into the wind-chest, said bleeds being provided with valves controlled by the perforations in the music sheet.

In a device of the character described;

Changes, therefore, in the a perforated music sheet; a striker-pneumatic; a stack communicating with the striker-pneumatic; a wind-chest adapted to exhaust air from the stack; and means for controlling the degree of vacuum in the stack, said means comprising a passage between the wind-chest and the stack controlled by a crest valve, a plurality of valve controlled bleeds, an air connection between each bleed and the wind-chest whereby atmospheric air may be bled into the wind-chest through said bleed, and means controlled by the perforations in the music sheet for opening the crest valve and opening one of the bleeds.

In a device of the character described; a perforated music sheet provided with a plurality of expression perforations adapted to co-operate with expression apertures in a tracker-board; a striker pneumatic; a stack communicating with the striker-pneuinatic3 a wind-chest for exhausting air from. the stack; and means for controlling the degree of vacuum in the stack, said means ineluding a passage between the wind-chest and the stack controlled by a crestvalve, a plurality of valve controlled bleeds. an air connection be ween each bleed and the windchest whereby atmospheric air may be bled into the wind-chest through said bleed, and means whereby the uncovering of any of the axpression apertures in the tracker-board operates to open the crest valve and the uncovering of certain of such apertures operates to open corresponding bleed valves.

5. In a device of the character described; a perforated music sheet provided with expression perforations; a tracker-board provided with expression apertures adapted to register with the expression perforations in the music sheet; a striker-pneumatic; astack communicating with the striker-pneumatic; a wind-chest adapted to exhaust air from the stack; and means for varying the degree of vacuum in the stack, said means comprising a passage between the wind-chest and the stack controlled by a crest *alve, a plurality of valve controlledbleeds, an air connection between each bleed and the wind-chest whereby atn'iospheric air may be bled into the wind-chest through said bleed, and means controlled by registry of the expressi on perforations in the music sheet with the expression apertures in the tracker-board to open the crest valve and open the bleeds.

6. In a device of the character described; a. perforated music sheet provided with a plurality of expression perforations adapted to co-operate with expression apertures in the trackenboard; a striker-pneumatic; a stack communicating with the strikerpneumatic; a wind-chest for exhausting air from the stack; and means for controlling the degree of vacuum in the stack, said means including a passage between the wind-chest the stack eontrolled by crest valve, a plurality of bleeds of different sizes, there being an expression aperture for each bleed, an air connection between each bleed and the wind-chest whereby atmospheric air may be bled into the vv'ind-chest through said bleed, a bleed valve in each of the connections between the bleeds and the wind-chest, and means operated by the perforations in the music sheet for opening the crest valve and opening the bleeds.

7. In a device of the character described;

a perforated music sheet provided with a plurality of expression perforations adapted to co-operate with expression apertures in the tracker-board; a striker-pneumatic; a stack communicating with the strikerpneumatic; a wind-chest for exhausting air from the stack; and means for controlling the degree of vacuum in the stack, said means including a passage between the wind-chest and the stack controlled by a crest valve, a plurality of bleeds of ditl'erplurality of expression nirttoralions adapo ed to co-operate with expression apertures in the tracker-board; a striker-pneumatie; a stack communicating with the strikerpneumatic; a wind-chest 'l'or exhausting air tromthe stack; and means for controlling the degree of vacuum in the stack, said means including a. passage between the wind-chest and the stack controlled by a crest valve, a plurality of bleeds o'l diiievent sizes, there being an. expression aperture for each bleed. an air connection bctween each bleed and the wind-chest where- 'by atmospheric air may be bled into the wind-chest through said bleed, bleed alve in each of the connections between the bleeds and'the wind-chest, and means operated by the perforations in. the music sheet whereby the uncovering of any of the expression apertures in thetracker-board operates to open the crest valve and the uncovering of certain of such apertures operates to open corresponding bleeds.

9. In a device of the character described;

a perforated music sheet provided with a plurality of expression perforations adapted to co-op'erate witl expr ssion apertures in the tracker-board; a strikenpneumatic; a stack comn'iunicating with the strikerpneum'atic; a wind-chest for exhausting ai r from the stack; and means for controlling the degree of vacuum in the stack, said means including apassage between the wind-chest and the stack controlled by a crest valve, a plurality of bleeds of different sizes, there being an. expression aperture for each bleed, an air connection between each bleed and the w.indchest whereby atmospheric air may be bled into the wind-chest through said bleed, a bleed valve in each of the connections between the bleeds andthe wind-chest, and means whereby the uncovering of any of the expression apertures in the tracl'rer-board operates to open the crest valve and the uncovering of certain of such apertures operates to open the smallest of the corresponding bleed valves and prevent the open-ing of the next larger size bleed valve,

10. In a device of-the character described; a perforated music sheet provided with a plurality of expression perforations adapt ed to co-operate with expression apertur s in the tracker-board; a st iiter-pneiunatic; a stack communicating n 1th the strikerpneumatic; a wind-chest for exhausting air from the stack; and means for controlling the degree of vacuum in the stack, said means including a passage between the wind-chest and the stack. controlled by a crest valve, a plurality of bleeds of different sizes, there being an expression aperture for each bleed, an air connection between each bleed and the wind-chest whereby atmospheric air may be bled into the wind.- chest through said bleed, a bleed valve in each of the connections betweenthe bleeds and the wind chest, and means whereby thcuncovering of any one of the expression apertures in the tracker-board, operates to open the crest valve, open the corresponding bleed valve, and prevent the opening of the next larger size bleed valve.

11. In a device of the character de scribed; a perforated music sheet provided with expression perforations; a trackerboard provided with expression apertures adapted to register with the expression perforations in the music sheet; a strikerpneumatic; a stack communicating with the vstriker-pneumatic; a wind-chest adapted to exhaust air from the stack; and means for varying the degree of vacuum in the stack, said means including a plurality of different size bleeds, there being an expression aperture for each bleed, an air connection between each bleed and the wind-chest whereby atmospheric air may be bled into the wind-chest through said bleed, a valve controlling the connection between each of the bleeds and the wind-chest, said valves controlled by a bleed control box operated by the passage of the expression perforations in the music sheet over the expression apertures in the tracker-board, and means vexhaust air from the stack; and means for varying the degree of vacuum in the stack,

said means including a plurality of different size bleeds, adapted to bleed air therethrough into the wind-chest, there being an expression aperture for each bleed, and means whereby the uncovering of any expression aperture opens the corresponding bleed and prevents the opening of the next larger size bleed.

13. In a device of the character described; a perforated music sheet provided with exoression perforations; a trackerhoard provided with expression apertures adaptedto register with the expression perforations in the music sheet; a striker-pneumatic; a stack communicating with the striker-pneumatic; a wind-chest adapted to exhaust air from the stack; and means for varying the degree of vacuum in the stack, said means including a )lurality of different size bleeds, there being an expression aperture for each blood, an air connection between each bleed and the wind-chest whereby atmospheric air may be bled into the wind-chest through said bleed, a valve controlling each of the connections between a bleed and the wind-chest, and a valve operated by the uncovering of an expression aperture for opening the valve in the communication between the corresponding bleed and the wind-chest.

14-, In a device of the character described; a perforated music sheet provided with expression perforations; a trackerboard provided with expression apertures adapted to register with the expression perfor-ations in the music sheet; a SilfikGl-PI1611- matic; a stack communicating with the striker-pneumatic; a wind chest adapted to exhaust air from the stack; and means for varying the degree of vacuum in the stack, said means including a plurality of different size bleeds, an air connection between each bleed and the wind-chest whereby atmospheric air may be bled into the wind-chest through said bleed, a valve controlling each connection between a bleed and the windohest, and a valve controlled by the uncovering of an expression aperture for operating each of the valves in the communications between the bleeds and the wind-chest.

15. In a device of the character described;a perforated music sheet provided with expression perforations; a trackerboard provided with expression apertures adapted to registerwith the expression perforations in the music sheet; a striker-pneumat-ic; a stack communicating with the striker-pneumatic; a wind-chest adapted to exhaust air from the stack; and means for varying the degree of vacuum in thestack, said means including a plurality of different size bleeds, an air connection between each bleed and the wind-chest whereby atmospheric air may bebled into the wind-chest through said bleed, auva levin each of the connections between a bleed and the windchest, a valve controlled by the uncovering of an expression aperture for operating each of the valves in the communications between the bleeds and the wind-chest, and an interlocking valve controlled by the unc0vering of an expression aperture to prevent the opening of the next larger bleed than the one controlled by that expression aperture.

16. In a device of the character described; a perforated music sheet provided with expression perforations; a tracker-board pro vided with expression apertures adapted to register with the expression perforations in the music sheet; a striker-pneumatic; a stack communicating with the striker-pneumatic; a wind-chest adapted to exhaust air from the stack; and means for varying the degree of vacuum in the staclgsaid means including a plurality of different size bleeds, there being an expression aperture for each bleed, an air connection between each bleed and the wind-chest whereby atmospheric air may be bled into the wind-chest through said bleed valves controlling said connections, a valve for each bleed operated by the uncovering of a corresponding expression aperture and controlling the valve in the communication between the bleed and the windchest, and an interlocking valve operated by the uncovering of an expression aperture to prevent the operation of the valve controlling the next larger bleed.

17. In a device of the character described; a perforated music sheet provided with expression perforations; a tracker-board provided with expression apertures adapted to register with the expression perforations in the music sheet; a striker-pneumatic; a stack communicating with the striker-pneumatic; a wind-chest adapted to exhaust air from the stack; and means for varying the degree of vacuum in the stack, said means including a plurality of different size valve-controlled bleeds adapted to bleed air therethrough into the wind-chest, there being an expression aperture for each bleed, and means whereby the uncovering of an expression aperture opens the corresponding bleed.

18. In a device of the character described; a perforated music sheet provided with expression perforations; a tracker-board provided with expressionaperturesadapted to register with the expression perforations in the music sheet; a striker-pneumatic; a stack communicating with the striker-pneumatic; a wind-chestsexhaustingmechanism adapted to exhaust air from the stack; and means fer varying the degree of vacuum in the stack, said means including a plurality of different size valve-controlled bleeds adapted to bleed air therethrough into the windchest, .there being an expression aperture for each bleed, and means whereby the uncovering of an expression aperture opens the corresponding bleed and prevents the opening of the next larger size bleed.

19. In a device of the character described; a perforated music sheet provided with ex pression perforations; a tracker-board provided with expression apertures adapted to register with the expression perforations in the music sheet; a striker-pneumatic; a stack communicating with the striker-pneumatic; a wind-chest adapted to exhaust air from the stack; a passage between the wind-chest and the stack; a bellows arranged adjacent said passage whereby the degree of collapse of said bellows will vary the size of said pas sage and means operated by the uncovering of any of the expression apertures for contracting said bellows to open said passage.

20. In a device of the character described; a perforated music sheet provided with expression perforations; a tracker-board provided with expression apertures adapted to register with the expression perforations in the music sheet; a striker-pneumatic; a stack communicating with the striker-pneumatic; a wind-chest adapted to exhaust air from the stack; a plurality of bleeds of different size, there being an expression aperture for each bleed; an air connection between each bleed and wind-chestwhereby atmospheric air may be bled into the wind-chest through said bleed; a pouch valve for each of the bleeds operable by atmospheric pressure to close the connection between the bleed and the wind-chest; and a valve controlled com-' munication between each pouch valve and the wind-chest, the valves controlling said communications being operated by the uncovering of the expression apertures whereby the uncovering of an aperture operates to open communication between the corresponding pouch valve and the wind-chest to open said pouch valve.

21. In a device of the character described; a perforated music sheet provided with expression perforations; a tracker-board provided with expression apertures adapted to register with the expression perforations in the music sheet; a striker-pneumatic; a stack communicating with the striker-pneumatic; a wind-chest adapted to exhaust air from the stack; a plurality of bleeds of different size there being'an expression aperture for each bleed; an air connection between each bleed and the wind-chest whereby atmospheric air may be bled into the Wind-chest through said bleed; a pouch valve for each of the bleeds operable by atmospheric pressure to close the connection between the bleed and the wind-chest; and a valve controlled communication between each pouch valve and the wind-chest the valves controllin said communications being operated by te uncovering of the expression apertures whereby the uncovering of an aperture operates to open communication between the correspending pouch valve and the wind-chest to open said ouch valve; and an interlocking valve controlled by each expression aperture to revent the operation of the valve contro ling the passage between the pouch valve for the next larger size bleed and the windchest.

In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and seals this 4th day of J anuary, 1924.

[L. s.] [n s.] 

